PH, Russia in talks to convert visas of Filipino tourists to working visas — DOLE

MANILA, Philippines — Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday said the Philippines and Russia are in talks for a bilateral agreement to convert to working visas the tourist visas given to Filipinos.

During the Laging Handa online press briefing, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) chief said that his office has received a communication from the Russian government that it is willing to enter into an agreement with the Philippines regarding the matter.

“With this development, we can now legitimize the stay of our countrymen who are in Russia, under that same mechanics na nagpupunta (that are going) as tourists then convert it to working visa,” he said.

“With this development, we can also legitimize the stay of our overseas workers in Russia,” he added.

Previously, DOLE announced that the Philippines will resume the deployment of household service workers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 31.

This was agreed upon during a two-day joint committee meeting, the labor department said.

Also part of the joint committee meeting agreement was that the Philippines entered into a labor agreement with the UAE, allowing the conversion of tourist visas given to overseas Filipinos into work visas.

/MUF